Heavy artwork hanging in Exeter
Professional heavy artwork hanging services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60
Typical Duration
20-30 mins
Location
Exeter, Devon
Heavy mirror or artwork needs hanging? I'll use proper weight-rated fixings for your wall type and hang it perfectly level. Secure and safe - not coming down.
When "Just Bang A Nail In" Won't Cut It
You've bought a beautiful large mirror or heavy framed artwork. It's been leaning against the wall for six months because you're not quite confident drilling into your wall with something that weighs 15kg and cost £200.
Smart call. Wrong fixings = disaster. Best case: holes in your wall and a wonky picture. Worst case: smashed glass and damaged plaster at 3am when it falls off.
💡 Pro tip: The back of most heavy frames will tell you the weight. If it doesn't, or you're unsure - don't guess. Wrong fixings fail, and gravity doesn't care about your intentions.
Why Professional Hanging Matters
| ✅ Properly Hung | ❌ DIY Disaster |
|---|---|
| Weight-rated fixings for wall type | Random screw into plasterboard |
| Perfectly level, measured precisely | Eyeballed, slightly wonky |
| Secure, tested, won't come down | Worry every time you hear a noise |
| Clean single fixing per point | Multiple attempts, damaged wall |
What's Involved
🔧 Hanging Process
| Step | What I Do |
|---|---|
| Check wall | Identify type, check for pipes/cables |
| Position | Help you decide exact placement |
| Mark & measure | Precise marking with spirit level |
| Drill & fix | Proper fixings for weight and wall type |
| Hang & test | Level, secure, give it a good tug test |
📦 Wall Types & Fixings
- Plasterboard - cavity fixings rated for weight, or stud location
- Solid brick/block - quality plugs and screws
- Lath & plaster (old houses) - careful drilling, appropriate fixings
- Really heavy items - multiple fixing points for security
Pricing
| Item Weight | Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy picture/mirror (one location) | 20-30 mins | £60 |
| Very heavy or multiple items | 30-45 mins | £60-£85 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Standard fixings included.
Perfect For...
✅ Large mirrors - bathroom, hallway, bedroom features
✅ Heavy framed art - statement pieces, canvas prints, metal art
✅ Shadow boxes - 3D frames, memorabilia displays
✅ Floating shelves - for heavy books or ornaments
Why Choose Us for Heavy artwork hanging in Exeter?
Hung with proper weight-rated fixings
Perfectly level first time
Won't damage your wall or art
No risk of it falling down
What to Expect
Step 1: Position Decision
We'll work out exactly where you want it. I'll hold it up if needed so you can see how it looks before drilling.
Step 2: Prepare & Fix
Check what's behind the wall (no drilling pipes!), mark precisely with spirit level, drill, and fit weight-appropriate fixings.
Step 3: Hang & Test
Mount your artwork perfectly level, then give it a proper test to make sure it's secure. Not coming down.
🔧 DIY Tips
If you're confident and want to tackle it yourself:
🔧 Tools you'll need
- Spirit level (essential - laser level even better)
- Drill and appropriate drill bit
- Correct fixings for wall type and weight
- Detector to check for pipes/cables
- Tape measure and pencil
- Someone to help hold it
🔍 Checking your wall
- Knock on wall - solid sound = brick/block, hollow = plasterboard
- Use detector to check for pipes and cables
- For plasterboard, consider finding a stud for really heavy items
- If unsure, assume it needs heavy-duty fixings
📏 Measuring & marking
- Decide on height (eye level is usually 140-160cm to centre)
- Measure distance from hanging points to top of frame
- Mark where top of frame will be on wall
- Measure down from that mark to find fixing points
- Use spirit level to ensure fixings are level with each other
- Triple-check before drilling!
🛠️ Fixing it securely
Plasterboard:
- Use cavity fixings rated for the weight
- Or locate studs with stud finder and fix into those
- Don't trust basic picture hooks for anything heavy
Solid walls:
- Drill correct size hole for your wall plug
- Use quality plugs designed for weight
- Screws should go deep into wall, not just surface fixing
⚠️ Common mistakes
- Eyeballing level instead of using a spirit level
- Under-spec fixings for the weight
- Not checking for pipes/cables before drilling
- Measuring from wrong reference point
- Hanging at wrong height for the room
💡 Pro trick: For heavy items on plasterboard, two cavity fixings are better than one, even if the frame only has one hanging point. Use a french cleat or hanging plate that distributes load across multiple fixings.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
Not sure where to position it? I'm happy to hold it in a few spots so you can decide. It's worth getting right before drilling.
Multiple heavy items? Gallery wall of large frames? I can get them all level relative to each other. Much easier with two people and the right kit.
Old house with lath & plaster? I work in Exeter's period properties all the time. Lath can be fragile - needs careful drilling so you don't bring down chunks of plaster.
Really valuable artwork? Let me know when you book. I'll take extra care, and if it's museum-quality stuff I can recommend specialist art hangers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How heavy is 'heavy'?
If you're worried about hanging it yourself, it's heavy! Usually anything over about 5kg - large mirrors, framed art, metal wall sculptures. If it would hurt if it landed on you, it needs proper fixings.
What fixings do you use?
Depends on your wall type and the weight. Solid walls might just need good plugs and screws. Plasterboard walls need special cavity fixings or locating studs. Really heavy pieces might need two fixings for security. I'll use whatever's needed.
Can you hang it on plasterboard?
Yes - plasterboard can take heavy items if you use the right fixings. I'll use proper cavity fixings rated for the weight, or locate a stud to fix into. It'll be secure.
What if I'm not sure exactly where I want it?
I can hold it up in different positions so you can visualize before I drill. Much better to decide properly before making holes than realize you don't like it after it's up.
How long does it take?
Standard heavy picture or mirror - about 20-30 minutes. Includes checking wall type, marking position, drilling, fitting proper fixings, hanging level, and testing security.
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01392 964094Request Online QuoteOur Rates
Got multiple jobs?
Make the most of your first hour - I can often tackle several small tasks in one visit. List everything you need done when you call!
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